Evangelical Community Hospital Plans 7th Annual “Mammathon”

4/05/2011

The Thyra M. Humphreys Center for Breast Health at Evangelical Community Hospital and the American Cancer Society are holding the Seventh Annual Tell-A-Friend Mammathon on Thursday, May 5 from noon-7 pm at the Susquehanna Valley Mall. The Mammathon is an event designed to encourage women over the age of 40 to schedule an annual mammogram. Volunteers will donate their time during the seven-hour event to contact women in Snyder, Union and Northumberland counties to inform them of the benefits of mammography.

Tell-A-Friend is an American Cancer Society program that Evangelical expanded upon to create the Mammathon. “Many women over the age of 40 have never had a mammogram, and many more don’t follow the American Cancer Society’s recommendation of having a mammogram every year,” Andrea Bertram, Director of the Center for Breast Health, said. “These are the women we’re trying to reach, to encourage them and support them in getting screened for breast cancer. Early detection saves lives. If we can help women better understand their own health, the outcomes will be positive,” she said.

Last year, more than 70 volunteers placed more than 6,400 calls. During that time, 197 women secured mammogram appointments at the Center for Breast Health, with nearly 2,000 women making commitments to schedule mammograms.